Three Hilltoppers selected to Senior Bowl watch list
It’s been a strong summer for Hilltoppers football. The past couple months have seen numerous Tops be selected to award watch lists and preseason all-conference squads, and even a couple of projected bowl games (not to mention all the preseason snubs), and three more members of the Brohm Squad can add their name to an honor with the announcement of the Senior Bowl Watch List.
Cameron Clemmons, Willie McNeal and Cam Thomas were named to the list, along with six other C-USA players, for the bowl game played mostly played for scouts in Moible come the beginning of 2015. WKU had the most players make the list, and in fact, were the only CUSA school to have more than one nominee. In each of the past two seasons, at least one Hilltopper has gone to the game – Antonio Andrews last year, and Jack Doyle the preceding year.
For Clemmons, this is his third preseason honor of the year after being named All-Conference USA by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Clemmons has the most experience of any WKU player (31 starts) and is a part of an offensive line that has helped bring the Tops three consecutive 1,600-yard individual rushers. Clemmons and his line set 18 program records last year.
McNeal, WKU’s touchdown reception leader both in 2012 and 2013, lead the Tops last year in overall receiving as well, catching 46 passes for 599 yards and five scores. McNeal also has at least one pass catch in 20 straight games, dating back to 2012. This is the second honor for McNeal of the summer, joining Clemmons on Phil Steele’s All-CUSA list.
Cam Thomas boasts four preseason accolades come the week before kickoff, being named to both Steele’s and Athlon’s preseason All-CUSA teams, as well as a Jim Thorpe Award watch list honoree (presented to the best defensive back in college football). Thomas lead the sun Belt with 15 passes defended and five picks in his junior year, and ranked top 20 nationally in the same categories.
The other Conference USA players to be named to the watch list are FAU’s D’Joun Smith, Marshall’s Rakeem Cato, Old Dominion’s Tyler Heinicke, Rice’s Jordan Taylor, UAB’s Jamarcus Nelson and UTEP’s Eric Tomlinson.
The 2015 Senior Bowl is scheduled to be played Jan. 24th at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Do you agree with the three Tops’ who made the watch list? Did anyone get snubbed? Let us know below or on twitter!